AN "immature" young farmer from County Durham who raped and molested a woman has won a cut in his six-year jail term.

Karl Richard Gibson, 21, denied any wrongdoing in October last year but was found guilty of rape and two counts of sexual assault at Durham Crown Court.

The court heard at the time that Gibson, who was then 19, forced himself on the victim despite her protests.

Gibson, of Marshes Gill Farm, Harwood-in-Teesdale, was handed five years for the rape and another year for sexual assault.

But on Friday (August 26) his sentence was reduced to four-and-a-half years by judges sitting at London's Criminal Appeal Court, who said the original term was "too long".

Lord Justice McCombe was told the victim had been badly affected by what had happened to her.

He added: "The appellant is a young and immature man, who through his own selfish actions has fundamentally altered the course of his own life."

Gibson, who appeared in court via a video link from prison, had claimed the victim had consented to the sexual activity with him.

However, his version of events was rejected by the jury.

His barrister, Paul Reid, told the court his family had been greatly affected by his conviction, adding: "This has been quite the most devastating of events for this close-knit family, who farm on the fells above Barnard Castle."

Allowing his appeal, Lord Justice McCombe said the sentence was too steep in all the circumstances.

Sitting with Mr Justice Jeremy Baker and Sir Alistair MacDuff, he added: "It is beyond doubt that the nature of his conduct justified consecutive sentences.

"However, we consider that there is some merit in the argument that the sentences were too high."

He said Gibson would now serve four years for the rape offence and further six months for sexual assault.

Gibson was also made the subject of a ten-year restraining order last year, forbidding him trying to contact the victim.